My Shamanic Journey

I started my shamanic studies many years ago on my own by reading and participating in various workshops. It was at one of these workshops that I found out about a trip to Ecuador with a group called Dream Change. My friend and I knew this would be an adventure vacation, what I did not know was that it would change my life forever!

It was during this first journey, which was one of deep inner and outer spiritual experiences, that I met The Tamayos for the first time. Powerful Yachak Shaman of the Andes performed their traditional healing on me and a very deep connection was formed. I knew in my heart that I would return someday to study with them. This really made no sense to me at the time, intellectually I had no plans to do this, but in my heart I knew it was to be. Although I could not understand this feeling on a rational level I allowed my heart and mind to remain unresolved. Here I am on my first trip to Ecuador outside the home of the Tamayos.

After that first trip I worked with Dream Change and assisted with the First Gathering of the Shamans at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY. It was there that I reconnected with the Tamayos and they were able to see in me the changes that I had gone through since we had first met. My life had been catalyzed forward on a spiritual path that I had previously only played with. It was there at Omega that the Tamayos invited me to apprentice with them in an intensive one on one. At that moment I recalled the feeling a year earlier that had told me I would return. I was honored and readily agreed. Here we all are at the omega campus for the first gathering of the shaman. don Esteban is to my right as you look at the picture and Jose is next to don Esteban, don Jorge is to my left, they are all Yachaks (bird people shaman).

During my studies in the high Andes, I lived with Jorge, his wife Rosita, and their two sons, Esteban and Juelle. They are my second family. Since my first intensive with them I have returned year after year to be with my family and deepen my understanding of their traditions.

They have taught me so much about unconditional generosity. I would never be wanting for a place to stay or a meal to eat no matter when I might show up, expected or unexpected. This is their way not only for me but also with everyone they interact with. By western standards they would be considered living in poverty they have little in material form. But in their hearts they feel rich and give so much of themselves and everything they have.

Here in North America, when we plan to see a Dr. or a healer of any kind, we usually set up an appointment and expect the practitioner to be there for our appointment. We often lose our patience if we have to wait to see someone past our appointed time. When the local people seek the healings of the Tamayos, powerful shamans, they show up. They arrive whenever they can get there. There are no phones to call and make an appointment. Here a local woman waits patiently for the Tamayos to return home so she can receive a healing. This particular day they had traveled far for some personal business, and returned very late. The woman spent the night in an extra room and was provided with food and sleeping blankets. It is not unusual for people to travel for days and have to wait hours or days to receive a healing.

Each day I would awake to the call of the powerful mountains that surrounded me. The Tamayos live in a village called San Jose de Juaya Pumba, within the community of Carrabuela. This area is in a valley surrounded by three powerful volcanic mountains.

Here is Imbabura, the male mountain and the namesake of the Province of Ecuador where I lived and studied. We made ceremonial pilgrimages to the waterfall of Imbabura. There we would bathe in the sacred water and connect with the powerful spirit of Imbabura, sending forth our visions and prayers.

Huarmeraso is a Quechuan name-meaning woman of snow. She is also known as Cotacachi. I have a very deep relationship with Huarmeraso having hiked around her sacred lake, Cuicocha many times making offerings and sending prayers. The lake itself is considered very sacred and therefore the indigenous people will not swim there. This area is magnificently beautiful.

The mountain range Mojanda holds the masculine and feminine, elder and young energy. Mojanda represents the family. I have been connected deeply with Mojanda and her sacred lakes. Mojanda is typically very windy and cold and the clouds and fog often found there add to the beauty and mystery of her powers (although representing masculine and feminine Mojanda is mostly referred to in the feminine.)

During my training I received many healings and cleansings from the Tamayos, which prepared me for the ceremonies of induction. According to the Quichua traditions, all power for performing ancient shamanic healings is sourced from Pachamama, (Quichua for Mother Earth/Time-Space/Universe). My training focused on deepening my spiritual connection to Pachamama. Thus enabling me to use her energy as a resource for myself and to help others re-connect to their inner life force. This type of work allows the individual to listen more clearly to his or her own inner wisdom.

I learned the Andean traditional healing ceremonies, which includes Camaying (to energetically blow life force) with fire. For these shaman fire is a powerful element of transformation and can be used to clear negative energy/spirits and disease.

Here are the Tamayos in their healing room, the plants they hold are used to cleanse the body. They are called Escobas, which means brooms in Spanish. Many sacred plants are used to create the Escobas; these they hold are from a sacred palm from the rainforest called Suripanga. They will travel to the rainforest to renew their sacred brooms every few months.

Upon the completion of my training and induction as a Yachak Andean Shaman, Don Esteban gifted me with sacred items to use in ceremony. They included rocks representing each of the mountains, a sacred neck dress for protection and an escoba of Suripanga.

My love of working with plants in all forms for healing brought me to study more deeply the healing plants of the Andes and Amazon. I took a specific trip with my PRIMARY Herbal teacher, Rosemary Gladstar to study with local herbalists, and ethno botanist, Rocio Alarcon. Here we are with Rosemary performing a plant ceremony with the group at the Papallacta Cloud Forest Hot Springs.

In addition to my intensives with the Tamayos I have traveled deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon to study with Shuar, Huoarani, and Quechua. Travel from village to village is along the many rivers of the Amazon in dug out canoes.

The lessons of the Shuar are different than that of the shaman whom live in the mountains and offer their own unique insights into living with the mother earth, in Shuar known as Nunqui.The Shuar live in traditional long houses, divided into two sections. The front portion is the masculine where guests are received and the back is the female portion where the family eats and sleeps and is off limits to guests. The male front part of the home is where guests are offered chicha a beverage made from Manioc root (yucca). It is served to guest as a great honor in the front part of the home. Here is a Shuar warrior, Mario, sitting in the masculine are of the home with the wall behind him protecting the feminine area.

The abundance of life growing on life is so evident and palpable in the rainforest you can feel with all of your senses the living heartbeat of Pachamama. The ability to connect with nature and something larger than ourselves is a gift I wish everyone could experience for himself or herself.

I continue my training with the Tamayos and other Shaman of Ecuador by returning a few times per year. Through my continued study and time spent with my teachers, I have formed a deep relationship with the family. My Husband Jeff also came and studied with the Tamayos. After which we were asked to be godparents to two of the children. Here we are with our Achiwawa (goddaughter) Dalia.

Understanding the impact that my journey had on me I first became a trip facilitator with Dream Change and have since created Earth Heart Expeditions leading groups on journeys similar to the one that was so powerfully transformative for myself. I work closely with my friend and partner Juan Gabriel Carasco; here we are with friend Dolores.  

I have come to understand that we are all a part of the prophecy that calls for a sharing of ancient wisdom for the well being of all when we most need it, which seems to be the time we are currently living in. I am honored to be a part of this bridge building between ancient wisdom with current knowledge. I am able to do so in two ways, by offering the teachings I received directly with my clients and also by hosting various Indigenous teachers at our center here at Earth Heart Farm.

The prophecy of the Condor and the Eagle is about this sharing of knowledge that can affect global change through learning more about honoring our Mother Earth. This prophecy is happening today on many levels and in many forms, to me it is my dream to be a part of sharing that knowledge and an honor that I have been given such a great opportunity to do so. Thank you for sharing my journey.

Shungo is a Quechuan word, which means from my heart to yours, Shungo.

View Additional Photos in My Shamanic Journey Photo Gallery